Content management method and content management apparatus

ABSTRACT

With content management apparatus  110  serving as a copy origin and storage medium  120  as a copy target, the copy origin retains allowed copy count control information on content, and when the content is copied from the copy origin to the copy target, the allowed copy count control information retained at the copy origin before copy processing is updated in accordance with a predetermined rule to generate allowed copy count control information to be retained at the copy origin and allowed copy count control information to be retained at the copy target, and subsequent copy processing at the copy origin is done based on the allowed copy count control information retained at the copy origin, whereas subsequent copy processing on the content stored in storage medium  120  is done based on the allowed copy count control information stored in storage medium  120 . In this way, it is possible to achieve content management which is easily understandable for users.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a content management method formanaging copyrighted content which is put into an electronic form and anapparatus for implementation thereof, and in particular, the presentinvention makes it possible to manage content with a restriction imposedon copying and moving thereof in an easily understandable form to users.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, there has been an increasing demand for digital contentdistribution services making use of communications or broadcasting.

For example, music distribution services have now started to beprovided, such as one in which music data is downloaded to a cellularphone to be stored into a storage medium connected thereto, and themusic data is played back on the cellular phone or other playback devicewhenever it is demanded. In addition, other than music data, adistribution service for video data such as a movie, etc., or documentdata such as newspaper accounts, etc., has also been conceived.

In a system which distributes content electronically, it is an importantissue how to prevent unauthorized use of stored content or unauthorizedcopying thereof from occurring for the protection of a right of acopyright holder. Though it goes without saying that it is necessary toprovide a scheme which eliminates the risk of unauthorized copying ortampering, especially, these days, there has been a growing importanceof a freer content use control scheme which also controls number oftimes of content viewing.

As a conventional digital content use control scheme, the inventiondescribed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-315177(hereafter referred to as the conventional scheme) is known.

An explanation is given below on the outline of the conventional scheme.The conventional scheme is a content management method for restrictingthe number of content copies copied into storage media, where an allowednumber of copies k is set for each of content, and a restriction isimposed on the copying of content so that the number of storage media inwhich the content is copied does not exceed k at the same time.

FIG. 1 illustrates a conceptual diagram of a content use model accordingto the conventional scheme where k=3. A content use management system(PC) stores the allowed number of copiable content for each of contentand identification information of storage media where copied content arestored (as an accommodation book). Upon reception of instructions forcopying and storing of distributed content into a storage medium, acopied content is stored into the storage medium in a case where thereis a remaining balance in the allowed number of copiable content forthis content. At such an occasion, each time a copied content is storedinto storage medium, the allowed number of copiable content isdecremented by one (check-out).

In addition, upon the reception of instructions for erasing of copiedcontent from the storage medium, the copied content is erased from thestorage medium, and the allowed number of copiable content isincremented by one at each time of erasing a copied content (check-in).At such an occasion, only in a case where the identification informationof the storage medium is stored in the “accommodation book”, the copiedcontent is erased from the storage medium.

In an example of FIG. 1, because a predetermined allowed number ofcopiable content k for content is “3”, it is possible to performcheckouts to three storage media at the maximum at the same time.Furthermore, the allowed number of copiable content is incremented byone by checking in checked-out content, therefore it is possible toperform a checkout to another storage medium.

In addition, in this content use model, content which is checked out toa storage medium is unable to be checked into another content usemanagement system other than the original content use management systemfrom which the content is checked out.

In this way, according to this system, it is possible to impose strictlimitations on copied content through management of check-ins andcheckouts.

However, it is often that a content use management scheme by means ofcheck-ins and checkouts, especially its concept of check-in, is hard forusers to become familiar with it, ending up being a cause of a hindranceto making content distribution services popular.

Moreover, according to a check-in/checkout scheme, it is difficult toembody a control mode which restricts the viewing count of content,etc., by affixing use restriction information which prescribes theallowed playback count of the content, etc., to the content. Forexample, in a case where a checkout to a storage medium is performedwith use restriction information which restricts the allowed playbackcount of content affixed thereto, the following problem would arise.

By playing back copied content in a storage medium, the allowed playbackcount of the content decreases, meanwhile, by playing the content back,the allowed playback count at a content use management system side alsovaries in accordance with its number of times of playbacks. In this way,due to the difference in the number of times of playbacks aftercheckout, there is a discrepancy between the value of the allowedplayback count of the content at the content use management system sideand the value of the allowed playback count of the content at thestorage medium side. For this reason, there arises a problem regardingwhich value the allowed playback count should be adjusted to whenchecking content at the storage medium side in. In addition, regardlessof which value it is adjusted to, it is inevitable that such a contentuse model would be far harder one to be understood by users, as well asthe greater complexity in processing on equipment.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to solve such conventionalproblems, aiming to provide a content management method and an apparatusfor implementation thereof which manages content in an easilyunderstandable form for users, and also manages the copying and movingof content with use restriction information affixed thereto.

This object is achieved by updating additional information of content atthe time of the copying and moving of the content, and having themanagement of the copying and moving of the content thereafter beperformed by equipment which handles the content based on the updatedadditional information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a content use modelaccording to the conventional scheme;

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a content management systemaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating one example of content acquired by acontent management apparatus and its additional information for a caseof the 1^(st) content use model according to Embodiment 1 of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the processing flow of content copyingat a copy control section for a case of the 1^(st) content use modelaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the structure of data stored in astorage medium after a copy processing stage for a case of the 1^(st)content use model according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a content use modelaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the processing flow of content copyingat a copy control section for a case of the 2^(nd) content use modelaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating one example of content acquired by acontent management apparatus and its additional information for a caseof the 2^(nd) content use model according to Embodiment 1 of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the processing flow of content copyingat a copy control section for a case of the 3^(rd) content use modelaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the 3^(rd) content usemodel according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a content management systemaccording to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating one example of content acquired by acontent management apparatus and its additional information according toEmbodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the processing flow of content movingat a copy control section according to Embodiment 2 of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the structure of data stored in astorage medium after a move processing stage for a case of the 1^(st)content use model according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a content use modelaccording to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a content management systemaccording to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating one example of content stored in acontent management apparatus and its additional information for a caseof the 1^(st) content use model according to Embodiment 3 of the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of the values ofallowed copy count control information after copy processing, ofinitially allowed move count control information, and of currentlyallowed move count control information for a case of the 1^(st) contentuse model according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the 2^(nd) content usemodel according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating one example of content stored in acontent management apparatus and its additional information according toEmbodiment 4 of the present invention; and

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of the values ofallowed copy count control information after copy processing, and of userestriction information according to Embodiment 4 of the presentinvention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.Incidentally, the present invention is in no case limited to theseembodiments; the present invention is able to be exploited in variouskinds of modes within the range where the gist of the present inventionis maintained.

EMBODIMENT 1

In Embodiment 1, a content management system which manages the copyingof content is explained.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, this system comprises storage medium 120 inwhich content is stored, and content management apparatus 110 whichcontrols the storing and copying of the content.

Content management apparatus 110 has readout section 111 that reads dataout of storage medium 120, write-in section 112 that writes data intostorage medium 120, copy control section 113 that controls content copyprocessing from content management apparatus 110 to storage medium 120,and content copy processing from storage medium 120 to contentmanagement apparatus 110, and data storage section 114 that storescontent and various additional information for the content.

In addition, storage medium 120 has normal area 121 which is used forthe storing of content, and protective area 122 which is used for thestoring of various additional information for the content stored innormal area 121. This protective area 122 is a special area which isprotected so that a user will not be able to execute write-in/readoutthereon directly.

In this system, content stored in storage medium 120 is copied to bestored into data storage section 114 of content management apparatus110, or content stored in data storage section 114 of content managementapparatus 110 is copied to be stored into storage medium 120.

The copying of content is managed based on additional information of thecontent. When content is copied, additional information retained in acopy origin is subjected to updating in accordance with a predeterminedrule, and also additional information updated in accordance with apredetermined rule is retained at a copy target. For example, in a casewhere the content stored in data storage section 114 of contentmanagement apparatus 110 is copied into storage medium 120, theadditional information stored in data storage section 114 of the copyorigin is updated, whereas additional information updated in accordancewith the predetermined rule is also stored in protective area 122 ofstorage medium 120 of the copy target.

The approval/disapproval of further copying of the content stored instorage medium 120 is managed by the additional information stored instorage medium 120. At this occasion, unlike the conventional scheme,content management apparatus 110 at the copy origin does not getinvolved in the management of the content after copying at all. Contentmanagement apparatus 110 just performs a new copying of the contentstored in data storage section 114 based on the updated additionalinformation.

This copy processing according to additional information and updatingprocessing of the additional information is executed by copy controlsection 113 of content management apparatus 110. The operation of copycontrol section 113 is implemented by a program for having a computerfunction as copy control section 113.

Next, using a specific example, the 1^(st) content use model accordingto this embodiment and processing of a content management system withsuch a model is explained. The 1^(st) content use model is a model whichdisables further copying of copied content.

First of all, content management apparatus 110 acquires distributedcontent and its additional information with use of some means, andstores them into data storage section 114. This acquisition may be donethrough wired or wireless data communications means, or with use ofbroadcasting reception means. Alternatively, they may be loaded from aninformation storage medium.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating one example of content 201 and itsadditional information 202 acquired by content management apparatus 110.Various kinds of content are conceivable, such as music data, videodata, image data, document data, and so forth, and the type of contentis not specifically confined herein. In addition, as additionalinformation, allowed copy count control information is associated withcontent. The allowed copy count control information is information whichrepresents how many copies are allowed to be created out of theassociated content. Here, the allowed copy count is taken to be 10.

It is noted that content 201 and additional information 202 stored indata storage section 114 is assumed to be stored securely so that itcannot be tampered by any user. As its storage method, it is conceivableto employ the secure management achieved by means of tamper-resistantsoftware or the encryption using ID which is unique to the hardware ofcontent management apparatus 110 and so forth, and its method is notspecifically confined herein.

Next, an explanation is given on processing at copy control section 113in a case where instructions are given by a user for copying content 201stored in content management apparatus 110 into storage medium 120. FIG.4 is a diagram illustrating the processing flow of content copying atcopy control section 113 in such a case.

Step 301: Allowed copy count control information at a copy origin isreferred to, and if the allowed copy count is 0, the processing isaborted. In the case of this example (FIG. 3), because the allowed copycount associated with content 201 is “10”, the processing goes to step302 without aborting.

Step 302: In a case where the allowed copy count control information atthe copy origin is “infinite”, the processing skips step 303 to moveonto step 304. Because it is not a value indicating “infinite” in thecase of this example, the processing goes to step 303.

Step 303: The allowed copy count at the copy origin is decremented byone. In the case of this example, the allowed copy count is decrementedfrom “10” to “9” and it is set again.

Step 304: The allowed copy count at the copy target is set into “0.” Inthe case of this example, the allowed copy count is set as “0” atprotective area 122 of storage medium 120 which is the copy target.

Step 305: Content proper is copied into the copy target. In the case ofthis example, a copy of content 201 stored in data storage section 114of content management apparatus 110 is stored in normal area 121 ofstorage medium 120 which is the copy target. At such an occasion, thecontent is subjected to encryption for storage so that it will not beable to be used, copied, and exploited in other way, without dueauthorization. A content encryption key used in such an occasion isstored in protective area 122.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of data stored in astorage medium after a copy processing stage in this example. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, it is also possible to enhance security againstan attack from a malicious user by bringing the allowed copy countcontrol information and an encryption key for encrypting the contentproper together and by encrypting them using an encryption key unique tothe storage medium to store them into protective area 122. Moreover, atthe time of encryption and storing into the protection area, it ispossible to further heighten security by performing encryption andstorage with a check value for detecting the tampering of informationinserted therein.

Reference numeral 501 in FIG. 6 shows a conceptual diagram of the 1^(st)content use model in this embodiment. As illustrated with referencenumeral 501 of FIG. 6, the 1^(st) content use model according to thisembodiment is a model which disables the further copying of content fromthe copy target (hereafter referred to as a sub-copy), achieved bysetting the allowed copy count control information at the copy targetinto a value indicating that the further copying is disabled.

It is noted that, according to the content copy processing flowillustrated in FIG. 4, in a case where the allowed copy count at thecopy origin is other than “0”, the allowed copy count controlinformation at the copy target is always set at step 304 into a valueindicating that further copying is disabled, which prohibits a sub-copy,however, it is possible to realize another content use model whichallows infinite copying as illustrated with reference numeral 502 inFIG. 6 by setting the allowed copy count of the copy target into a valueindicating “infinite” in a case where the allowed copy count of the copyorigin is a value indicating “infinite” in step 302.

Next, using a specific example, the 2^(nd) content use model accordingto this embodiment and processing of a content management system withsuch a model is explained. The 2^(nd) content use model is a model whichmanages the aggregate number of copies.

Here, in the same manner as done in the explanation of the 1^(st)content use model, an explanation is given on processing at copy controlsection 113 in a case where instructions are given by a user for copyingcontent 201 stored in content management apparatus 110 into storagemedium 120. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the processing flow ofcontent copying at copy control section 113 in a case of the 2^(nd)content use model.

Step 601: In a case where the allowed copy count of the copy origin isnot “0” as in the same manner as step 301 of FIG. 4,

Step 602: In a case where the allowed copy count control information atthe copy origin is “infinite”, the processing goes to step 604;otherwise it goes to step 603. Because it is not a value indicating“infinite” in the case of this example, the processing goes to step 603.

Step 603: The values of allowed copy count restriction information atthe copy origin and at the copy target are set so that the total of theallowed copy counts of the copy origin and the copy target after copyprocessing equals to the allowed copy count of the copy origin beforethe copy processing minus 1. In the case of this example, because theallowed copy count at the copy origin before the copy processing is“10”, and “10−1=9”, the values after the copy processing are set in sucha manner that, for example, the allowed copy count at the copy origin is“4”, while the allowed copy count at the copy target is “5.” Herein, howthe allowed copy count is allocated is supposed to be specified by aninput by a user.

Step 604: In a case where the allowed copy count control information atthe copy origin is “infinite” in step 602, the value of the allowed copycount control information at the copy target is also set as “infinite.”

Step 605: In the same manner as done in step 305 of FIG. 4, contentproper is copied into the copy target.

Reference numeral 503 in FIG. 6 shows a conceptual diagram of the 2^(nd)content use model in this embodiment. As illustrated with referencenumeral 503 in FIG. 6, the 2^(nd) content use model is a model which isable to manage the total number of copies in a case where repetitivecopying of distributed content is performed within a range restricted byallowed copy count control information, which is achieved by setting thevalues of allowed copy count restriction information at the copy originand at the copy target at the time of copy execution so that the totalof the allowed copy counts of the copy origin and the copy targetbecomes equal to the allowed copy count of the copy origin before thecopy processing minus 1.

It is noted that, in the content copy processing flow illustrated inFIG. 7, the value of the allowed copy count at the copy target is set tobe “infinite” at step 604 in a case where the value of the allowed copycount at the copy origin is a value indicating “infinite” at step 602,however, it is also possible herein to conceive a model which confinesthe origin of copy dissemination to a single content with infinitenumber of total copies, which is achieved by setting either one of theallowed copy count at the copy origin or at the copy target to be“infinite”, while the other one being set as “0.”

Next, using a specific example, the 3^(rd) content use model accordingto this embodiment and processing of a content management system withsuch a model is explained. The 3^(rd) content use model is a model whichspecifies up to how many generations downward copying is allowed.

Here, an explanation is given on processing at copy control section 113in a case where instructions are given by a user for copying content 701of FIG. 8 into storage medium 120 on the assumption that data asillustrated in FIG. 8 is stored securely in data storage section 114 ofcontent management apparatus 110.

As its additional information, copy generation management information isnewly associated with content 701 illustrated in FIG. 8. The copygeneration management information is information which represents up tohow many generations copies are allowed to be created out of theassociated content. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the processing flowof content copying at copy control section 113 in a case of the 3^(rd)content use model according to this embodiment.

Step 801: Allowed copy count control information and copy generationmanagement information at a copy origin are referred to, and if eitherone is “0”, or the both are “0”, the processing is aborted. Becauseneither of them is “0” in the case of this example, the processing goesto step 802.

Step 802: In a case where the copy generation management information atthe copy origin is “infinite”, the processing goes to step 804;otherwise it goes to step 803. Because it is not a value indicating“infinite” in the case of this example, the processing goes to step 803.

Step 803: The copy generation management information at the copy targetis set into a value which is smaller than the copy generation managementinformation at the copy origin by 1. In the case of this example, as thecopy generation management information at the copy origin is “2”, thecopy generation management information at the copy target is set to be“1”, and the set information is stored into protective area 122 ofstorage medium 120 which is the copy target.

Step 804: In a case where the copy generation management information atthe copy origin is “infinite” in step 802, the value of the copygeneration management information at the copy target is also set as“infinite.”

Step 805: The allowed copy count at the copy target is set into the samevalue as the allowed copy count at the copy origin. In the case of thisexample, the allowed copy count at the copy origin “10” is set withoutany change as the allowed copy count at the copy target, and it isstored into protective area 122.

Step 806: In a case where the allowed copy count control information atthe copy origin is “infinite”, the processing skips step 807 to moveonto step 808. Because it is not a value indicating “infinite” in thecase of this example, the processing goes to step 807.

Step 807: The allowed copy count at the copy origin is decremented byone. In the case of this example, the allowed copy count is decrementedfrom “10” to “9” and it is set again.

Step 808: In the same manner as done in step 305 of FIG. 4, contentproper is copied into the copy target.

Reference numeral 901 in FIG. 10 shows a conceptual diagram of the3^(rd) content use model in this embodiment. As illustrated withreference numeral 901 in FIG. 10, the 3^(rd) content use model accordingto this embodiment is a model which disables copying thereafter at thetime when the value of the content generation management informationreaches to “0”, which realizes copy generation management of distributedcontent.

It is noted that, according to the content copy processing flowillustrated in FIG. 9, the allowed copy count at the copy target is setto be the same value as the allowed copy count at the copy origin instep 805, and the allowed copy count at the copy origin is subsequentlydecremented by one, however, as in step 603 of the 2^(nd) content usemodel, it is also possible to implement a content use model which setsthe values of allowed copy counts at the copy origin and at the copytarget so that the total of the allowed copy counts of the copy originand the copy target after copy processing becomes equal to the allowedcopy count of the copy origin before the copy processing minus 1 (referto reference numeral 902 in FIG. 10).

As described above, according to a content management system of thisembodiment, it is possible to control the number of times of copying ofdistributed content by managing the allowed copy count information onthe content and by updating the allowed copy count of the copy origin sothat it becomes smaller than before copy processing. Furthermore, it ispossible to implement a content use model which prohibits a sub-copy bysetting the allowed copy count control information at the copy targetinto a value indicating that copying is disabled.

In addition, it is possible to implement a content use model which isable to manage the total number of copies in a case where repetitivecopying of distributed content is performed within a range restricted byallowed copy count control information, which is achieved by setting thevalues of allowed copy count restriction information at the copy originand at the copy target at the time of copy execution so that the totalof the allowed copy counts of the copy origin and the copy targetbecomes equal to the allowed copy count at the copy origin before thecopy processing minus 1.

Moreover, it is possible to realize copy generation management ofcontent by managing copy generation management information on thecontent and by setting the copy generation management information at thecopy target to be smaller than the copy generation managementinformation at the copy origin.

It is noted that, though it is assumed in the explanation given in thisembodiment that allowed copy count control information and copygeneration management information are counters whose values decrease ateach time of copying, these may be implemented with a method in whicheach counter has two values, which are the maximum value and currentvalue, where the current value is increased at each time of copying, andcopying is then disabled at the time when the current value becomesequal to the maximum value.

Alternatively, allowed copy count control information may be flagsindicating statuses, for example, indicating (1) copy disabled (2)copying allowed only once (3) copying allowed infinitely, instead of acounter like the above.

In addition, copy generation management information may also be flagsindicating statuses, for example, indicating (1) copy disabled (2)copying allowed across only one generation (3) copying allowed acrossinfinite generations, instead of a counter like the above.

It is noted that, in this embodiment, an explanation is provided on theassumption that a content management apparatus is a copy origin, whereasa storage medium is a copy target, however, it is also possible toimplement copy processing in which a storage medium is a copy origin,whereas a content management apparatus is a copy target, achieved bymanaging allowed copy count control information and copy generationmanagement information according to the same rules as described above atthe copy origin and the copy target.

Additionally, though the copying of content proper is performed at thelast step respectively according to the copy processing flowsillustrated in FIG. 4, FIG. 7, and FIG. 9, the copying of the contentproper may be performed at the first step each. Even at such anoccasion, the content is subjected to encryption for storage so thatthere is no risk of use, copying, and exploitation in other way withoutdue authorization.

EMBODIMENT 2

In Embodiment 2, a content management system which manages the moving ofcontent is explained. Incidentally, the moving processing of contentmeans that content subjected to moving processing is not retained (thusunusable) at its move source, and upon execution of the movingprocessing, content use becomes available only at its move destinationout of the move source and the move destination.

According to this system, as illustrated in FIG. 11, content managementapparatus 110 comprises move control section 115 that controls contentmove processing from content management apparatus 110 to storage medium120, and content move processing from storage medium 120 to contentmanagement apparatus 110, in place of a copy control section. Except forthat mentioned above, the configuration is the same as that ofEmbodiment 1 (FIG. 2).

The moving of content is managed based on additional information of thecontent in a similar manner as done in “copying” of Embodiment 1. Whencontent is moved, additional information retained in a move source issubjected to updating in accordance with a predetermined rule to betransferred to a move destination, and moving thereafter is managedbased on the updated additional information. For example, in a casewhere the content stored in data storage section 114 of contentmanagement apparatus 110 is moved to storage medium 120, the additionalinformation stored in data storage section 114 of the move source isupdated in accordance with the predetermined rule to be stored inprotective area 122 of storage medium 120 of the move destination, andfurther moving of the content stored in storage medium 120 is managedbased on the additional information stored in storage medium 120.Content management apparatus 110 at the move source does not getinvolved in the management of the content after moving at all.

This move processing according to additional information and updatingprocessing of the additional information is executed by move controlsection 115 of content management apparatus 110. The operation of movecontrol section 115 is implemented by a program for having a computerfunction as move control section 115.

Next, using a specific example, the 1^(st) content use model accordingto this embodiment and processing of a content management system withsuch a model is explained. The 1^(st) content use model is a model whichlimits the move count of content.

First of all, content management apparatus 110 acquires content and itsadditional information which are distributed with use of some means asdone in Embodiment 1, and stores them securely into data storage section114.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating one example of content 1101 and itsadditional information 1102 acquired by content management apparatus110. The difference from Embodiment 1 lies in that allowed move countcontrol information instead of allowed copy count control information isassociated with content. The allowed move count control information isinformation which represents how many moves of the associated contentare remaining to be allowed.

Next, an explanation is given on processing at move control section 115in a case where instructions are given by a user for moving content 1101stored in content management apparatus 110 to storage medium 120. FIG.13 is a diagram illustrating the processing flow of content moving atmove control section 115.

Step 1201: Allowed move count control information at a move source isreferred to, and if the allowed move count is 0, the processing isaborted. In the case of this example, because the allowed move countassociated with content 1101 is “2”, the processing goes to step 1202without aborting.

Step 1202: In a case where the allowed move count control information atthe move source is “infinite”, the processing goes to step 1204;otherwise it goes to step 1203. Because it is not a value indicating“infinite” in the case of this example, the processing goes to step1203.

Step 1203: The allowed move count at the move destination is set into avalue decremented by one from the allowed move count at the move source.In the case of this example, because the allowed move count at the movesource is “2”, the allowed move count at the move destination is set tobe “1”.

Step 1204: In a case where the allowed move count control information atthe move source is “infinite” in step 1202, the value of the allowedmove count control information at the move destination is also set as“infinite.”

Step 1205: Content proper is moved to the move destination. In the caseof this example, a copy of content 1101 stored in data storage section114 of content management apparatus 110 is stored in normal area 121 ofstorage medium 120 which is the move destination, and original content1101 stored in content management apparatus 110 which is the move sourceis put into a state not available for use permanently (e.g. deleted fromdata storage section 114). At such an occasion, as done in a case ofcopying, the move content is subjected to encryption for storage so thatit will not be able to be used, moved, and exploited in other way,without due authorization. An encryption key used in such an occasion isstored in protective area 122.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of data stored in astorage medium after a move processing stage in this example. As done inEmbodiment 1, it is also possible to enhance security against an attackfrom a malicious user by bringing the allowed move count controlinformation and an encryption key for encrypting the content propertogether and by encrypting them using an encryption key unique to thestorage medium to store them into protective area 122. Moreover, at thetime of encryption and storing into the protection area, it is possibleto further heighten security by performing encryption and storage with acheck value for detecting the tampering of information inserted therein.

Reference numeral 1410 in FIG. 15 shows a conceptual diagram of the1^(st) content use model in this embodiment. As illustrated withreference numeral 1410 in FIG. 15, the 1^(st) content use model is amodel which decrements the value of allowed move count at each moving ofcontent, and disables moving thereafter at the time when the value ofthe allowed move count reaches to “0”, which realizes the controlling ofmove counts of distributed content.

It is noted that, in the explanation given on the 1^(st) content usemodel of this embodiment, it is assumed that a content managementapparatus is a move source, whereas a storage, medium is a movedestination, however, it is also possible to implement move processingin which a storage medium is a move source, whereas a content managementapparatus is a move destination, achieved with the flow illustrated inFIG. 13.

As described above, according to a content move processing flowillustrated in FIG. 13, though the content use model is assumed to be amodel which decrements allowed move count both in cases where content ismoved from a content management apparatus to a storage medium and wherecontent is moved from a storage medium to a content managementapparatus, it is possible to conceive another content use model (the2^(nd) content use model in this embodiment) which, as illustrated withreference numeral 1420 in FIG. 15, decrements allowed move count in acase where content is moved from a storage medium to a contentmanagement apparatus only, without decrementing the allowed move countin a case where content is moved from a content management apparatus toa storage medium. In such a conception, it is regarded that oneexecution of move processing (rather than two times of executions)occurs when a move from storage medium 1421 to storage medium 1423 iscompleted while having content management apparatus 1422 serve as abridge, and the conception thereby realizes a content use model whichdecrements allowed move count only by one.

In addition, opposite to the 2^(nd) content use model in thisembodiment, it is possible to conceive further another content use model(the 3^(rd) content use model in this embodiment) which, as illustratedwith reference numeral 1430 in FIG. 15, decrements allowed move count ina case where content is moved from a content management apparatus to astorage medium only, without decrementing the allowed move count in acase where content is moved from a storage medium to a contentmanagement apparatus. In such a conception, it is regarded that oneexecution of move processing, rather than two times of executions,occurs when a move from content management apparatus 1431 to contentmanagement apparatus 1433 is completed while having storage medium 1432serve as a bridge, and the conception thereby realizes a content usemodel which decrements allowed move count only by one.

As described above, according to a system of this embodiment, it ispossible to control the number of times of moving of distributed contentby managing the allowed move count control information on the contentand by setting the allowed move count in such a manner that it isdecremented at each moving of the content.

On one hand, by decrementing allowed move count in a case where contentis moved from a storage medium to a content management apparatus only,without decrementing the allowed move count in a case where content ismoved from a content management apparatus to a storage medium, itbecomes possible to realize a content use model which regards that oneexecution of move processing occurs at a time when a move from the firststorage medium to the second storage medium is completed while having acontent management apparatus serve as a bridge. On the other hand, bydecrementing allowed move count in a case where content is moved from acontent management apparatus to a storage medium only, withoutdecrementing the allowed move count in a case where content is movedfrom a storage medium to a content management apparatus, it becomespossible to realize a content use model which regards that one executionof move processing occurs at a time when a move from the first contentmanagement apparatus to the second content management apparatus iscompleted while having a storage medium serve as a bridge.

It is noted that, though it is assumed in the explanation given in thisembodiment that allowed move count control information is a counterwhose value decreases at each time of moving, this may be implementedwith a method in which the counter has two values, which are the maximumvalue and current value, where the current value is increased at eachtime of moving, and moving is then disabled at the time when the currentvalue becomes equal to the maximum value. Furthermore, allowed movecount control information may be flags indicating statuses, for example,indicating (1) move disabled (2) moving allowed only once (3) movingallowed infinitely, instead of a counter like the above.

Additionally, though the moving of content proper is performed at thelast step according to the move processing flow illustrated in FIG. 13,the moving of the content proper may be performed at the first step.Even at such an occasion, the content is subjected to encryption forstorage so that there is no risk of use, moving, and exploitation inother way without due authorization.

EMBODIMENT 3

In Embodiment 3, a content management system which manages the copyingand moving of content is explained.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, according to this system, content managementapparatus 110 comprises both copy control section 113 and move controlsection 115. Except for that mentioned above, the configuration is thesame as that of Embodiments 1 and 2 (FIG. 2, FIG. 11). In addition, copycontrol section 113 and move control section 115 perform the samefunctions as done in Embodiments 1 and 2 respectively.

Next, using a specific example, the 1^(st) content use model accordingto this embodiment and processing of a content management system withsuch a model is explained. The 1^(st) content use model is a model inwhich copied content has the same allowed move count as that at the timeof distribution. First of all, it is assumed that content 1601 andadditional information 1602 illustrated in FIG. 17 is stored securely incontent management apparatus 110. Additional information 1602 associatedwith content 1601 includes allowed copy count control information andallowed move count control information, where the allowed move countcontrol information is made up of initially allowed move count controlinformation and currently allowed move count control information. Theinitially allowed move count control information is allowed move countcontrol information which is set at the time of content distribution(set initially), and after the distribution, its value stays constantregardless of repeated copying and moving. On the other hand, currentlyallowed move count control information is information of which valuedecreases after the distribution upon the occurrence of a move, which issubstantially the same as allowed move count control information inEmbodiment 2. In the case of this example, the allowed move count ofcontent 1601 which is set at the time of distribution is three times,and after going through two times of move processing, the content iscurrently stored in content management apparatus 110.

Next, an explanation is given on a setting method of initially allowedmove count control information and currently allowed move count controlinformation at a copy target in a case where instructions are given by auser for copying content 1601 stored in content management apparatus 110into storage medium 120. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a settingexample of the values of allowed copy count control information aftercopy processing, and of initially allowed move count control informationand currently allowed move count control information after the same inthe case of this example. As illustrated with reference numeral 1701 inFIG. 18, at the copy origin (content management apparatus), the valuesbefore copying are taken over without any change as initially allowedmove count control information and currently allowed move count controlinformation respectively, whereas allowed copy count control informationis decremented by one.

On the other hand, as illustrated with reference numeral 1702 in FIG.18, the value before copying is taken over without any change asinitially allowed move count control information at the copy target(storage medium), whereas the value of the initially allowed move countcontrol information at the copy origin is substituted into the currentlyallowed move count control information at the copy target. In addition,allowed copy count control information is set to be “0” (a model fordisabling a sub-copy [the 1^(st) content use model in Embodiment 1])

In this way, it is possible to implement a content use model having thesame conditions of allowed move count of copied content as those at thetime of distribution thereof by substituting the initially allowed movecount control information, which is allowed move count set at the timeof the content distribution (set initially), into the currently allowedmove count control information at the copy target.

It is noted that, though an explanation is given in FIG. 18 by taking anexample of a content copy model which disables a sub-copy, other thansuch a model, this embodiment is also implementable in the same manneras with such a model by adopting any of all content copy modelsdescribed in Embodiment 1.

In addition, it is also possible to implement another model which takesover a single value without any change at the time of copying in a casewhere allowed move count control information associated with content isnot made up of two of initially allowed move count control informationand currently allowed move count control information, but has only saidsingle value.

Furthermore, though it is assumed in the explanation given herein thatinitially allowed move count control information and currently allowedmove count control information are counters whose values decrease ateach moving, these may not be such counters but may be flags indicatingstatuses, for example, indicating (1) move disabled (2) moving allowedonly once (3) moving allowed infinitely.

Moreover, in a case where instructions are given by a user for movingcontent 1601 stored in content management apparatus 110 to storagemedium 120, it is also possible to implement a model which takes overthe value of allowed copy count control information at a move source asallowed copy count control information at a move destination. Moreover,even in a case where copy generation management information isassociated with content, it is also implementable in the same way.

Next, the 2^(nd) content use model according to this embodiment andprocessing of a content management system with such a model isexplained. The 2^(nd) content use model is a model which realizesquasi-copying of content from the 1^(st) storage medium to the 2^(nd)storage medium.

Reference numeral 1810 in FIG. 19 shows a conceptual diagram of the2^(nd) content use model in this embodiment. In a content use modelillustrated in conceptual diagram 19, it is assumed that content storedin storage medium 1811 is set with allowed copy count of “10” andallowed move count of “1.” First of all, in accordance with the 1^(st)content use model in Embodiment 1 (a model which disables a sub-copy),this content is processed to be copied to content management apparatus1812. Next, the copied content is processed to be moved to anotherstorage medium 1813 which is other than storage medium 1811 inaccordance with the 2^(nd) content use model in Embodiment 2. Herein,the allowed move count is not decreased by performing the movingprocessing in accordance with the 2^(nd) content use model in Embodiment2. Consequently, the allowed copy count associated with the contentstored in storage medium 1813 becomes “0”, whereas the allowed movecount therewith becomes “1”, and therefore it is possible to provide thesame situation as one where a direct copy is done from storage medium1811 to storage medium 1813 by a model disabling a sub-copy.

This means that it is possible to realize the quasi-copying of contentfrom the 1^(st) storage medium to the 2^(nd) storage medium even byusing, for example, a content management apparatus having only one slotfor reading/writing a storage medium, just in the same way as done by acontent management apparatus having two slots which is able to copycontent in a storage medium inserted in one slot to another storagemedium inserted in the other slot.

It is noted that, though it is assumed in conceptual diagram 19 thatcopy processing is performed with a model disabling a sub-copy at thetime of copying content from storage medium 1811 to content managementapparatus 1812, other than that model, it is also implementable in thesame manner as with such a model by adopting any of all content copymodels described in Embodiment 1.

In addition, as illustrated with reference numeral 1820 in FIG. 19, itis possible to realize the quasi-copying of content from the 1^(st)content management apparatus 1821 to the 2^(nd) content managementapparatus 1823 while having storage medium 1822 serve as a bridge by,firstly, performing copy processing from content management apparatus1821 to storage medium 1822 in accordance with any of content copymodels described in Embodiment 1, and next, by performing movingprocessing of the copied content to content management apparatus 1823 inaccordance with the 3^(rd) content use model in Embodiment 2.

As described above, according to a system of this embodiment, it ispossible to implement a content use model having the same conditions ofallowed move count of copied content as those at the time ofdistribution thereof with a content management apparatus comprising bothcopy control section 113 and move control section 115, achieved by thatsuch an apparatus manages copy-related control information on andmove-related control information on content and further managesinitially allowed move count control information and currently allowedmove count control information as allowed move count controlinformation, and by that the value of the initially allowed move countcontrol information is substituted into the currently allowed move countcontrol information at a copy target at the time of copy processing.

Furthermore, it is possible to realize the quasi-copying of content fromthe 1^(st) storage medium to the 2^(nd) storage medium by performingcopy processing from the 1^(st) storage medium to a content managementapparatus, and by performing the moving processing of the copied contentto the 2^(nd) storage medium in such a manner that allowed move count isnot decreased. Still furthermore, it is possible to realize thequasi-copying of content from the 1^(st) content management apparatus tothe 2^(nd) content management apparatus by performing copy processingfrom the 1^(st) content management apparatus to a storage medium, and byperforming the moving processing of the copied content to the 2^(nd)content management apparatus in such a manner that allowed move count isnot decreased.

EMBODIMENT 4

In Embodiment 4, an explanation is given on copy processing and moveprocessing for a case where use restriction information is associatedwith content.

The configuration diagram of this content management system may be anyof configuration diagrams in Embodiments 1 through 3 (FIG. 2, FIG. 11,and FIG. 16).

With a specific example, a content use model according to thisembodiment and processing of a content management system with such amodel is explained below.

First of all, it is assumed that content 1901 and additional information1902 illustrated in FIG. 20 is stored securely in content managementapparatus 110. The difference herein from the example of content and itsadditional information described in Embodiment 1 is that use restrictioninformation, in addition to allowed copy count control information, isfurther associated with content. Moreover, use restriction informationis made up of current use restriction information, initial userestriction information, and fixed use restriction information. In thesame manner as in the relation between currently allowed move countcontrol information and initially allowed move count control informationaccording to Embodiment 3, the relation between current use restrictioninformation and initial use restriction information can be described insuch a way that the current use restriction information varies its userestriction value as content playback is executed after distribution,while the initial use restriction information is use restrictioninformation set at the time of content distribution.

As a specific example, in FIG. 20, the current value and the initialvalue of use restriction related to allowed playback count areassociated with content. In the case of this example, the allowedplayback count of content 1901 which is set at the time of distributionis three times, and after going through one execution of playbackprocessing, the content is currently stored in content managementapparatus 110 in the status of remaining two times of allowed playbackexecutions.

In addition, fixed use restriction information is use restrictioninformation of which value does not change even when content is playedback. As a specific example, in FIG. 20, use restriction related to athreshold is associated with content. Here, the threshold is informationfor decrementing the allowed playback count by one (regards as oneexecution of playback) upon the elapsing of a certain time periodspecified by said threshold after starting of content playback. It isnoted that, an allowed playback count and a threshold is mentioned as anexample set of use restriction information in FIG. 20, however, the userestriction information may be any other kinds of information.

Next, an explanation is given regarding a setting method of userestriction information at a copy target in a case where instructionsare given by a user for copying content 1901 stored in contentmanagement apparatus 110 into storage medium 120. FIG. 21 is a diagramillustrating a setting example of the values of allowed copy countcontrol information after copy processing, and of use restrictioninformation according to an example of this case. As illustrated withreference numeral 2001 in FIG. 21, at the copy origin (contentmanagement apparatus), the values before copying are taken over withoutany change as three kinds of use restriction information, whereasallowed copy count control information is decremented by one. On theother hand, as illustrated with reference numeral 2002 in FIG. 21, thevalues before copying are taken over without any change as the initialuse restriction information (initially allowed playback count) and thefixed use restriction information (fixed threshold) at the copy target(storage medium), whereas the value of the initial use restrictioninformation (initially allowed playback count) at the copy origin issubstituted into the current use restriction information (currentlyallowed playback count) at the copy target. In addition, the allowedcopy count control information is set to be “0” (a model for disabling asub-copy [the 1^(st) content use model in Embodiment 1]).

In this way, it is possible to implement a content use model having thesame conditions of use restriction information of copied content asthose at the time of distribution by substituting the initial userestriction information, which is use restriction information set at thetime of the content distribution (set initially), into the current userestriction information at the copy target, while taking over the valuesbefore copying without any change for other use restriction information.

It is noted that, though an explanation is given in FIG. 21 by taking anexample of a content copy model which disables a sub-copy, other thansuch a model, this embodiment is also implementable in the same manneras with such a model by adopting any of all content copy modelsdescribed in Embodiment 1.

In addition, it is also possible to implement another content use modelwhich takes over each value without any change at the time of copying ina case where use restriction information associated with content is notmade up of initial use restriction information, current use restrictioninformation, and fixed use restriction information, in other words, in acase where use restriction information does not have initial userestriction information.

Moreover, in a case where instructions are given by a user for movingcontent 1901 stored in content management apparatus 110 to storagemedium 120, it is also possible to implement a content use model whichtakes over each value of use restriction information at a move source aseach use restriction information at a move destination.

In addition, in the example of FIG. 20, though additional informationassociated with content is allowed copy count control information anduse restriction information only, copy generation management informationand allowed move count control information may be associated therewith.

As described above, according to a system of this embodiment, it ispossible to implement a content use model having the same conditions ofuse restriction information of copied content as those at the time ofdistribution thereof, achieved by that use restriction information oncontent is managed, where the use restriction information is made up ofcurrent use restriction information, initial use restrictioninformation, and fixed use restriction information, and that the valueof the initial use restriction information is substituted into thecurrent use restriction information at the copy target at the time ofcopy processing.

As made clear from the foregoing descriptions, according to the presentinvention, additional information of content is updated at the time ofthe copying and moving of the content, and the management of the copyingand moving of the content thereafter is done by equipment which handlesthe content based on the updated additional information. For thatreason, the necessity for complex management such as check-ins accordingto the conventional scheme is obviated, making it possible to achievecontent management easily understandable for users.

In addition, it is possible to implement a content use model whichdisables a sub-copy, or a content use model which manages the aggregatenumber of copies.

Moreover, it is possible to implement a content use model which regardsthat one execution of move processing occurs at a time when a move fromthe first storage medium to the second storage medium is completed witha content management apparatus functioning as a bridge, or a content usemodel which regards that one execution of move processing occurs at atime when a move from the first content management apparatus to thesecond content management apparatus is completed with a storage mediumfunctioning as a bridge.

Furthermore, it is possible to implement a content use model which setsthe conditions of allowed move count of copied content as those at thetime of distribution thereof, a content use model which does thequasi-copying content from the 1^(st) storage medium to the 2^(nd)storage medium, or a content use model which does the quasi-copyingcontent from the 1^(st) content management apparatus to the 2^(nd)content management apparatus.

In addition, it is possible to implement a content use model which makesthe conditions of use restriction information of copied content as thoseat the time of distribution thereof.

This specification is based on the Japanese Patent Application No.2001-206491 filed on Jul. 6, 2001, entire content of which is expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is suitably applicable to a system in whichcontent is downloaded to a handset such as a cellular phone, etc., andthe downloaded content is stored in a storage medium connected to thehandset for use.

1. A content management method for managing moving of content, themethod comprising: moving the content from a source to a destination,with reference to allowed move count control information of the contentretained at the source, wherein the allowed move count controlinformation indicates a remaining number of times that moving of thecontent is allowed; updating the allowed move count control information,such that when the content is moved from a first storage medium to acontent management apparatus and then the content is moved from thecontent management apparatus to a second storage medium, the allowedmove count control information is updated so that the allowed move countis decremented only in one of a first moving process from the firststorage medium to the content management apparatus and a second movingprocess from the content management apparatus to the second storagemedium; and setting the updated allowed move count information to themoved content.
 2. The content management method according to claim 1,wherein, in the first moving process, the allowed move count controlinformation is updated so that the allowed move count at the destinationbecomes smaller than the allowed move count of the source; and in thesecond moving process, the allowed move count control information isupdated so that the allowed move count at the destination is set to havea same value as a value of the allowed move count of the source.
 3. Thecontent management method according to claim 1, wherein, in the firstmoving process, the allowed move count control information is updated sothat the allowed move count at the destination is set to have a samevalue as a value of the allowed move count of the source; and in thesecond moving process, the allowed move count control information isupdated so that the allowed move count at the destination becomessmaller than the allowed move count of the source.
 4. A contentmanagement method for managing copying and moving of content, the methodcomprising: copying the content from a source to a destination withreference to additional information of the content retained at thesource, wherein the additional information includes allowed copy countcontrol information, currently allowed move count control informationand initially allowed move count control information; and generating theadditional information of the copied content so that the currentlyallowed move count at the destination is set to have a same value as theinitially allowed move count at the source, wherein a number of times ofmoving is limited to a value of the currently allowed move count.
 5. Thecontent management method according to claim 4, wherein the additionalinformation of the copied content is generated so that: the initiallyallowed move count at the destination is set to have a same value as avalue of the initially allowed move count of the source.
 6. A contentmanagement method for managing copying and moving of content, the methodcomprising: copying the content from a source to a destination withreference to additional information of the content retained at thesource, wherein the additional information includes allowed copy countcontrol information, currently allowed move count control informationand initially allowed move count control information; generating theallowed copy count control information of the copied content at thedestination based on the allowed copy count control information of thecontent retained at the source, wherein a copying process of the contentthereinafter at the source and at the destination is performed withreference to each allowed copy count control information; and generatingthe currently allowed move count control information of the copiedcontent so that the currently allowed move count at the destination isset to have a same value as a value of the initially allowed move countat the source, wherein a number of times of moving is limited to a valueof the currently allowed move count.
 7. The content management methodaccording to claim 6, wherein the additional information of the copiedcontent is generated so that: the initially allowed move count at thedestination is set to have a same value as a value of the initiallyallowed move count at the source; and the currently allowed move countat the destination is set to have a same value as a value of theinitially allowed move count at the source.
 8. A content managementmethod for managing copying and moving of content, the methodcomprising: copying content from a copy source to a copy destinationwith reference to additional information of the content retained at themove source, wherein the additional information includes an allowed copycount control information, a currently allowed move count controlinformation and an initially allowed move count control information;setting the allowed copy count control information of the copied contentwhich is to be retained at the copy destination, so as to indicate thatcopying of the copied content is not allowed; and generating thecurrently allowed move count control information of the copied contentso that the currently allowed move count at the copy destination is setto have a same value as a value of the initially allowed move count atthe copy source, wherein a number of times of moving is limited to avalue of the currently allowed move count.
 9. The content managementmethod according to claim 8, wherein the additional information of thecopied content is generated so that: the initially allowed move count atthe copy destination is set to have a same value as a value of theinitially allowed move count at the source.
 10. A content managementmethod for managing copying and moving of content, the methodcomprising: copying the content from a first storage medium as a copysource to a content management apparatus as a copy destination withreference to an allowed copy count control information of the contentretained at the copy source; moving the copied content from the contentmanagement apparatus as a move source to a second storage medium as amove destination; and setting an allowed move count control informationof the moved content so that an allowed move count at the movedestination is set have a same value as a value of the allowed movecount at the move source, wherein a number of times of moving is limitedto the value of the allowed move count.
 11. The content managementmethod according to claim 10, wherein, when the content is copied fromthe first storage medium to the content management apparatus, settingthe allowed copy count control information of the copied content whichis to be retained at the content management apparatus, so as to indicatethat copying of the copied content is not allowed.
 12. A contentmanagement method for managing copying and moving of content, the methodcomprising: copying the content from a first content managementapparatus as a copy source to a storage medium as a copy destinationwith reference to an allowed copy count control information of thecontent retained at the copy source; moving the copied content from thestorage medium as a move source to a second content management apparatusas a move destination; and setting an allowed move count controlinformation of the moved content so that an allowed move count at themove destination is set have a same value as a value of the allowed movecount at the move source, wherein a number of times of moving is limitedto the value of the allowed move count.
 13. The content managementmethod according to claim 12, wherein, when the content is copied fromthe first content management apparatus to the storage medium, settingthe allowed copy count control information of the copied content whichis to be retained at the storage medium, so as to indicate that copyingof the copied content is not allowed.
 14. A content management methodfor managing copying of content, the method comprising: copying thecontent from a source to a destination with reference to an allowed copycount control information of the content retained at the source, whereinthe allowed copy count control information indicates how many copies ofthe content are allowed to be made; and generating use restrictioninformation of the copied content so that the use restrictioninformation at the destination is set to have a same value as a value ofinitial use restriction information at the source, wherein the userestriction information includes current use restriction information,initial use restriction information and fixed use restrictioninformation, wherein the use restriction information of the copiedcontent is generated so that: each value of the initial use restrictioninformation and the fixed use restriction information at the destinationis set to have a same value as the values of the initial use restrictioninformation and the fixed use restriction information of the source; andthe current use restriction information at the destination is set tohave a same value as the value of the initial use restrictioninformation at the source.
 15. A content management method for managingcopying of content, the method comprising: copying the content from asource to a destination with reference to allowed copy count controlinformation of the content retained at the source, wherein the allowedcopy count control information indicates how many copies of the contentare allowed to be made; generating allowed copy count controlinformation of the copied content at the destination based on theallowed copy count control information of the content retained at thesource, wherein copying of the content at the source and at thedestination is performed with reference to each allowed copy countcontrol information; and generating use restriction information of thecopied content so that the use restriction information at thedestination is set to have a same value as an initial use restrictioninformation at the source, wherein the use restriction informationincludes current use restriction information, initial use restrictioninformation and fixed use restriction information, wherein the userestriction information of the copied content is generated so that: eachvalue of the initial use restriction information and the fixed userestriction information at the destination is set to have a same valueas the values of the initial use restriction information and the fixeduse restriction information of the source; and the current userestriction information at the destination is set to have a same valueas the value of the initial use restriction information at the source.16. The content management method according to claim 6, wherein theallowed copy count control information is retained in a securetamper-resistant state in the content management apparatus and thestorage medium.
 17. The content management method according to claim 6,wherein the allowed copy count control information is stored inprotected area in the content management apparatus and the storagemedium.
 18. The content management method according to claim 6, whereinthe allowed copy count control information is stored after beingsubjected to encryption in the content management apparatus and thestorage medium.
 19. The content management method according to claim 6,wherein the allowed copy count control information is stored in a statecontaining a value for detecting the tampering of information in thecontent management apparatus and the storage medium.
 20. The contentmanagement method according to claim 4, wherein, when content is copiedfrom an original to a target, the allowed copy count control informationto be retained at the target is set into information indicating thatcopying is disabled.
 21. The content management method according toclaim 14, wherein, when content is copied from an original to a target,the allowed copy count control information to be retained at the targetis set into information indicating that copying is disabled.
 22. Thecontent management method according to claim 14, wherein the allowedcopy count control information is retained in a secure tamper-resistantstate in the content management apparatus and the storage medium. 23.The content management method according to claim 22, wherein the allowedcopy count control information is stored in protected area in thecontent management apparatus and the storage medium.
 24. The contentmanagement method according to claim 22, wherein the allowed copy countcontrol information is stored after being subjected to encryption in thecontent management apparatus and the storage medium.
 25. The contentmanagement method according to claim 22, wherein the allowed copy countcontrol information is stored in a state containing a value fordetecting the tampering of information in the content managementapparatus and the storage medium.